A damaged or decayed tooth can sometimes lead to an infection on your tooth pulp. If this happens, you should undergo a dental endodontic procedure such as a root canal. An endodontic procedure involves treating the soft tissues of the teeth, including the pulp, which is made of blood vessels and nerves that enable teeth to grow. You do not have to permanently remove decayed or damaged teeth when you can get root canals Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY therapy at an affordable cost. Learn more about root canals and how they can significantly improve your dental aesthetic.
What are root canals?
A root canal is a dental treatment procedure that removes damaged or infected tooth pulp and later cleans it using an antiseptic solution. The tooth pulp is the tooth’s soft tissue that comprises blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves.
These tissues play a significant role in helping your teeth grow and improve sensations caused by temperature variations. However, removing the pulp does not affect your long-term tooth survival but instead eliminates the need for permanently extracting your teeth.
Which dental issues require a root canal treatment?
Since a root canal involves removing or treating an infected or inflamed tooth pulp, it does not interfere with other parts of the tooth, such as the crown. The tooth crown can remain intact even when the pulp is damaged. Below are some dental issues that can lead to pulp damage and, therefore, the need for a root canal.
- A severely decayed tooth caused by a long-term untreated cavity
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- An injured tooth caused by an injury or physical trauma
- A tooth that has undergone multiple dental procedures
Once you have developed a damaged tooth pulp, you might experience some symptoms, such as swelling, pain, and a burning sensation on your gums and teeth. Your doctor will then conduct an X-ray imaging test to confirm your diagnosis before referring you to an endodontist for a root canal procedure.
How is a root canal treatment done?
A root canal is conducted in an in-office by a dental specialist during your appointment date. Once you are well-prepared for the procedure, your doctor will use local anesthesia to numb your gums and tooth roots from any pain.
Once your teeth and gums are numb, your doctor will carefully expose the infected and damaged pulp using specialized dental tools known as files. Your doctor will then use an antiseptic solution to clean out all harmful bacteria and food particles from your tooth canal.
The next step will involve using a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha to fill and seal the tooth opening. In the final step, your doctor will seal the top of your tooth with a soft material to protect the canal from damage.
After the procedure
After the procedure, you might feel some mild discomfort and pain, particularly on your teeth and gums. With over-the-counter medications prescribed by your doctor, your symptoms might improve within a few days.
To speed up the healing process, you might need to avoid chewing until the treated teeth are filled with a permanent crown. Your doctor will also advise you to make regular dental follow-ups to monitor your teeth’ progress.
If you have a damaged tooth, you do not need to be scared about losing it permanently. To regain your dental aesthetic, you can receive the best root canal treatment services from Brooklyn City Dental clinic. Call or book an appointment to learn more about root canals and how they can improve your optimal oral health and dental aesthetic.